Findapart

Used Mercedes-Benz SL Ignition Barrel

Need a used Mercedes-Benz SL ignition barrel? Request a free quote from UK vehicle dismantlers and compare offers direct.

Enter your registration or select your vehicle

Find the right part faster and get quotes direct from UK breakers - free, and no obligation.

GB

Choosing the right used Mercedes-Benz SL ignition barrel

Used ignition barrels vary between vehicles - and whether you call it used, second hand or a replacement, matching the right one matters. These are the details breakers need to match the right part to your car - our request form asks them so you only hear from suppliers with the correct part:

Other used Mercedes-Benz SL parts

Used ignition barrel for other Mercedes-Benz models

Fitment questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz SL actually have an ignition barrel, or is it keyless?

It depends on the generation. Older SL models — including the R107 (1971–1989), R129 (1989–2002), and R230 (2001–2012) — were fitted with a traditional ignition barrel that accepts a physical key. The R231 (2012–2023) introduced push-button start as standard across its range, meaning it does not have a conventional ignition barrel in the traditional sense; if you drive an R231, you may be looking for a different component such as the EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) module instead.

Will an ignition barrel from a 2005 SL fit my 2008 SL?

Both years fall within the R230 generation (2001–2012), so there is a reasonable chance of compatibility, but the R230 received a facelift in 2006 which may have brought changes to steering column components including the ignition barrel. Confirm the exact part number against your registration with the breaker before purchasing, as pre- and post-facelift units may differ in coding or fitment.

Does the trim level — for example SL350 versus SL500 — affect which ignition barrel I need?

For a traditional ignition barrel, the trim or engine variant (SL350, SL500, SL55 AMG, and so on) does not typically affect fitment, as the barrel sits in the steering column and is not engine-specific. You may notice cosmetic differences such as different key profiles or minor finish details between cars that had different specification packages, but the physical fitment should be the same within a generation — confirm the specific part number with the breaker against your registration to be sure.

Can I use an ignition barrel from an R129 SL on my R230 SL?

No — the R129 (1989–2002) and R230 (2001–2012) are entirely different generations with different steering columns, so the barrels are not interchangeable. Always source an ignition barrel from the same generation as your own vehicle, and confirm compatibility with the breaker using your exact registration.

My SL is a 2000 plate — is that R129 or R230, and which barrel do I need?

A 2000-plate SL falls within the R129 generation, which ran from 1989 to 2002; the R230 did not go on sale in the UK until 2001. Source a barrel listed for the R129, and give the breaker your full registration or VIN to confirm the correct unit, as there was some overlap in the model years during the changeover period.

Is the ignition barrel on the SL the same as on the E-Class or CL of the same era?

Mercedes-Benz did share steering column components across some platforms during the same period, so there is a possibility of crossover — for example, some R230-era components were shared with the W211 E-Class or C215/C216 CL. However, whether a specific ignition barrel genuinely interchanges is something you should confirm with the breaker against your registration and VIN, rather than assume, as coding and physical fitment can vary even between related models.